Tara Rausch

Lady Quakers overcome slow start to defeat John Carroll

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio (February 8, 2003) ­ The Wilmington College Lady Quakers found themselves trailing by nine points just five minutes into the game before coming back and defeating the Blue Streaks of John Carroll University by an 87-79 count. Megan Woodruff (New Vienna/East Clinton) and Tara Rausch (Marysville/Fairbanks) scored 26 and 20 points respectively to help the Green and White continue on their current winning streak of 14 straight games.

John Carroll (8-12, 5-9 OAC) used a 17-5 run early in the game to open their nine-point, 17-8 lead. The Lady Quakers responded with a 19-2 run to secure an eight point lead that they would not give up for the remainder of the game. The host Blue Streaks refused to give up, cutting the deficit to three twice before halftime before the Green and White went into the locker room with an eight point, 46-38 lead.

Wilmington (18-2, 13-1 OAC) scored the first two baskets of the second half, opening a double digit lead that they kept for the majority of the second half. John Carroll cut the lead to single digits with four minutes to go in the game, but never came closer than six points the rest of the way as the Lady Quakers held on to a 87-79 victory.

Woodruff led all scorers in the game with 26 points while Rausch put up 20 and Siobhan Zerilla (Cincinnati/Mercy) added 16. Rausch recorded her 9th double-double as she added 14 rebounds while Zerilla pulled down 13 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the year. Woodruff also dished out five assists for the visitors while grabbing a team-high three steals.

The Blue Streaks were led by Katie Benjamin who scored 19 points while Amy Esser and Tracee Garland each chipped in 15 in the loss. Meagan Heller grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds for the hosts as Esser dished out five assists.

The next game for the Lady Quakers is on Wednesday, February 12 when the team plays host to the Lady Muskies of Muskingum College with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.